Odisha’s forests, once lush sanctuaries for elephants, are now vanishing under the relentless pressures of development, leaving these gentle giants with nowhere to turn. Wildfires, mostly induced by reckless human actions, are also ravaging the forests, with climate change only exacerbating the devastation, leaving the elephants homeless and desolate. Starving and desperate, elephants are forced to risk their lives crossing treacherous highways, seeking food and water in vill

Following the incredible success of our first robotic elephant in Tamil Nadu, Voices for Asian Elephants is thrilled to launch our second robotic elephant at a renowned temple in Kerala. This inspiring shift is gaining momentum, as more temples embrace robotic elephants for their processions, sparing live elephants from unimaginable suffering. These majestic creations not only preserve tradition but also ensure the safety of devotees, preventing the tragic stampedes that have

A groundbreaking two-year study in West Bengal demonstrates that nature-based, systems-thinking education can profoundly transform how young people understand and protect wildlife. Led by filmmaker and educator Sangita Iyer and published in Frontiers Ethology, the research challenges conventional memorization-based learning, which often fails to address complex ecological issues like human–elephant conflict. The study introduced a curriculum titled Elephants and People in sch

Across Southeast Asia, countless elephants once used in tourism endure lives of control, confinement, and hardship. Many are separated from their families, subjected to harsh training, and denied the freedom that is essential to their well-being. But there is another path. At Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) in Northern Thailand, rescued elephants are given the chance to begin again. Here, they are not forced to perform or interact. There are no rides, no chains, and no

The Problem: Unsustainable development including railway tracks and roads that cut through core habitats are a major cause of elephant deaths. Every year 50-75 elephants die in train collisions across India. Speed restrictions are enforced inside protected areas but not outside where most accidents occur. VFAE is collaborating with SNAP Foundation and Nature Mates, piloting an early warning system to alert train drivers of elephant presence, with enough time for the speeding

This project aims to create safe shared spaces for people and elephants, using science based solutions. In West Bengal state, India, human and elephant deaths are alarmingly high at approx. 40 people and six elephants per year. Research suggests, accidental encounters occur at night as people run into elephants, resulting in human casualties and animosity towards elephants. Tragedies can be averted using basic safety practices, Eg: flashlights in the dark to alert elephants o

Updates VFAES purchased four acres of land from private owners inside the Nilambur forest of Kerala and handed it over the Kerala Forest Department for rewilding. The land, which had been converted to a plantation, is surrounded by reserve forest, a key habitat for a variety of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and leopards. The area also forms part of the Nilambur Elephant Reserve and houses around 340 elephants. VFAES is now awaiting court documents enabling VFAES to t

Elephant deaths due to traffic collisions are mounting in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. The problem is, major highways are cutting through core elephant habitats, forcing elephants to cross treacherous roads in search of food. Motorists, in particular truck drivers, drive recklessly. The existing elephant crossing signs are inconspicuous and ineffective. Our groundbreaking reflective billboards, 9' above ground, will alert Odisha drivers, warning them to slow down and s

Habitat loss is pushing elephants out of the forests in search of food and water. As elephants have very poor eyesight, they inadvertently wander near the many open wells in human settlements. Many elephants have unfortunately fallen into these wells, causing trauma, injury, and even death. A simple set of barriers installed around open wells can go a long way towards safeguarding elephants as they move through these human-made environments. In partnership with In collaborati

In India's West Bengal state, 1-2 elephants die each year from accidental or deliberate electrocutions. But by November 2020 up to 10...

Summary Out of the 40,000 or so Asian elephants on the planet, 20,000+ are in India. But this cultural icon and natural treasure is on the verge of extinction because of illegal human activities and lack of enforcement, resulting from poor communication between agencies and decision makers. The Gentle Giant Summit in Kerala, India will strengthen inter-agency communication and cooperation. It will empower stakeholders with knowledge and tools to enforce existing laws and prot

Project Asian Elephants 101 is a transformative week-long program designed to ignite a passion for elephant conservation in the hearts of youth. It unfolds in three powerful phases: first, participants experience the eye-opening documentary Gods in Shackles, which exposes the plight of Asian elephants, followed by an engaging Q&A. Next, interactive classroom sessions build critical skills and deepen understanding. Finally, the program culminates in two unforgettable days of N